Stiggy's Dogs Hosts BBQ To Thank Volunteers & SupportersStiggy's Dogs Hosts BBQ To Thank Volunteers & Supporters

5/5/14 - A Howell Township-based veteran support agency said thank you to its supporters, volunteers and veterans at a gathering over the weekend. Stiggy’s Dogs, which rescues and trains shelter dogs to be therapy service animals for military veterans suffering from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorders or Traumatic Brain Injury, hosted a barbecue at its sanctuary property off of Bowen Road Saturday afternoon. Over the last couple of years Stiggy’s Dogs won two grants from Home Depot, and has used the funds to expand their services. Founder Jennifer Petre says the renovated 8-acre property serves as a safe environment for veterans to train with their dog, including two ponds, hiking trails, a fire pit, and a recently added community garden. One of those at Saturday’s event who knows first-hand the benefits of what the group provides is Army veteran Tom Jones, who was injured in an explosion during one of the two tours he served in Iraq. Stiggy’s Dogs paired Jones with Baxter (pictured) who is a Field Lab. Jones tells WHMI his partner is always vigilant, so he doesn’t have to be. Jones says he waited almost seven years to seek help from Stiggy’s Dogs, and that it was a time of needless suffering. Saturday’s BBQ provided the non-profit with the opportunity to show its gratitude, while also allowing the public to meet everyone involved with the organization and tour the facility. The non-profit was created in memory of Petre’s nephew, Benjamin Castiglione. Known as Doc Stiggy by his comrades, he gave his life caring for soldiers as a Navy Corpsman in Afghanistan in September 2009. (LR/JK)